A near thing.

 A garden bird turned up the other day and who would ever dare to say. So we use the word "Type". But it not at all common around here. But as we all know after a time of breeding these birds always revert to type. So what we are looking at is a bird with several distinguishing features that reflect it's true past. The won that ever looked anything was a pair in the nest that I found on a rock face in County Sutherland. Yes I did claim it as the genuine artical, but not this one. But how good to look at the features that make up such a bird. So let's start.

1.    White rump.  2.   Two dark wing bars.    3.  Black end to tail. 4 .White under wing. 5. Black edge to forwing underneath and trailing edge. 6. Cere white. 7. Black bill.

Just a good thing to challenge us all and a ROCK DOVE. Well who can really tell.

 

 

Also a flyover HOOBY gavve a good showing as it flew East.

Something to talk about at last.

 After a protracted silence its time to come out and have something to say. No difficulty when you have seen some realy good stuff. A trip South to see me sister in Colchester took us down to Colchester and a ride out to Abberton Resevoir. Thinking of the time here I sat with Bill Oddie, with the words "Hello mate". It was hello again from the birding world with the first bird locked onto. The photographer next to me had no idea what he was looking at. So I put him in the picture, joke. RUDDY SHELLDUCK mate. To which he replied I know very little about wildlife and some time as a photographer. I exspect my pic's are nothing like his. But at least I new what I was looking at. As for anything an eclipse POCHARD and WIGEON and a flock of 10 SPOONBILL are always a good to watch. So enjoy the pic's.

 

Carlton Marsh SWT

I strugle to keep this blog running. No real reason, just me. I still keep out there but putting it out on this blog. Today was hot again and no water.  But a good few hours in the wilds of Suffolk. What more do you want. Best bird was an engagement of a RED KITE amd a HOBBY. Nothing really out of the ordinary but just a lovely day.

Carlton Marsh SWT

fter a long spell of good weather we have been inundated with rain and storms. Today was not much different. With a strong wind ranging from the East to the South. So wildlife was rather thin on the ground. Although it seemed that SAND MARTIN and SWALLOWS seemed to be feeding well over the reed bed. The only real surprise was the call of an AVOCET from Lookout hide. Which is very unusual, for I have never seen this bird from here. A young CHINSE WATER DEER strayed very near, as you can see in pic. Also took a distant pic of a male MARSH HARRIER which was orange wing tagged, but no id.

Update

 My regular walk around Pathways Care Farm, saw only the second RED VEINED DARTER for the site. Again a very good record. There us also on site 15 BEE ORCHID'S  which is again another first for Pathways. Surprisingly I noticed them way back in December and dispite some being eat ny MUNCJACK DEER  we manged to protect and raise enough for a good view. Our MUTE SWAN after over 50 days managed to get severen  cygnits of which is the most we have ever had. There was also a an influx of MALLARD with 13 young in all. 

Lodge Lane, Walberswick.

 

The sound of migration with Cuckoo, Nightingale, Whitehroat and Chiffchaff.

Carlton Marsh SWT

 First day back after a long winter with of course new migrants in attendance. It was just good to get out there, so thank you SWT. Went round with a good friend and the birds turned out as well. 49 Species  in an afternoon is not at all bad. With the best being a male HEN HARRIER which flew against a COMMON BUZZARD for five minets. Also MARSH HARRIER male and RED KITE.  CETTIE.S WARBLER, SEDGE WARB, BLACKCAP and CHIFFCHAFF. Several MEADOW PIPIT and BEARDED TIT.. Also a LAPWING nest sitting.